Wake-Up Call: Cox In Year 3

Not long after the Eagles moved up to select Fletcher Cox with the 12th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Jim Washburn declared: “When God made [Cox], he made him to play in this system right here.”

That system was a Wide-9 4-3, in which an interior defensive lineman’s objective was to “rush, crush and close,” in the words of former offensive line coach turned defensive coordinator Juan Castillo.

We seem far removed from that era in a way, but in reality it was half of Cox's NFL experience to date. After being trained for a full year to attack, attack, attack, Cox jumped to a role in a two-gap 3-4 scheme that required a shift in mind-set and technique.

"He was transitioning from a 4‑3 to a 3‑4 defense so I think his production towards the end of the year was most like everybody else on our defense. It was a little bit better towards the end of the year than it was the beginning of the year," said Chip Kelly.

"But he's big, physical and can run for a big guy. Very difficult to block in one‑on‑one situations, try to create some one‑on‑one situations for him but I think he's really starting to get acclimated to what we are doing on the defensive line and obviously like everybody, I think year two will be better than year one for him."

Cox was the Eagles' co-leader in sacks his rookie year with 5 1/2. That sack total dropped to three this past season, though he led the team in hurries with 21. [Trent Cole was second with 15]. Billy Davis maintains that putting pressure on a quarterback -- getting them out of their rhythm -- is the big thing, and to that end Cox appeared to do his job at a pretty high level.

Cox has played in 31 of 32 games since joining the Eagles, including 25 starts, and has been productive overall. The expectations remain high within the organization that he can become a greater force.

The Yazoo City, Mississippi native trained four times a week at a facility near his hometown this offseason. He currently weighs about 315 pounds, which is near his playing weight last season. He hopes to get down to about 310.

The last time we saw Cox and his defensive line mates, they were having a difficult time in the playoff loss to New Orleans. That game hasn't quite left the 23-year-old's system.

"Of course we're going to think about it," said Cox. "We did our best. New Orleans did a lot of different things that we had never seen before. Learn from it and keep going."

Cox may have been born to play in a Wide-9 4-3, as Washburn suggested, but the reality is that he is currently working in a two-gap 3-4. The belief is that the longer he is in it, the more he'll look like a natural.

"I think with all those guys -- Fletcher and Ced [Cedric Thornton] and those guys that hadn't been in the scheme before, what you saw with them is as they grew in the scheme their performances got better," said defensive line coach Jerry Azzinaro. "I think what happens to you is, when you get an appreciation for the techniques and fundamentals that are involved -- this is a technique and fundamental defense, this is a technique and fundamental offense, this is a technique and fundamental game -- if you want to sustain success over a long period of time, you have to have that technique and fundamental foundation. I think those guys are getting there. It's a work in progress."

The DeSean Jackson move got the attention of his former teammates, LeSean McCoy told Albert Breer.

"The whole DeSean Jackson thing, that helped out, to be honest, in making all the other guys aware," star running back LeSean McCoy said last Monday in a private, post-practice moment. "It's all possible. They'll cut one of your best guys if (he's) not buying in. On any team -- any team -- you look at that, and as a player, you can look at it from so many different sides, but no matter how good you are, you gotta follow these guidelines. And if you don't, you could be gone. ... You gotta buy in."

Giants safety Antrel Rolle decided to hand out NFC East predictions. He has the Eagles finishing third in the division behind New York (of course) and Washington. From ESPN (via the Washington Post).

“I think if you have the right defensive scheme against the Eagles, you can definitely shut them down,” he said. “I think we displayed that in the second game we played them. As far as Washington, I think Washington has more weapons, and I think they added more weapons, especially to the offensive system. I think RGIII will definitely bounce back and have a better season this year. And defensively, I think they’ve added a lot of veteran leadership to their defense that’s gonna help them out a whole lot.”

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Eagles4Life

LOL Antrel is hanging his hat on a bad game early by Vick, who was replaced in the late 2nd quarter by Matt Barkley? Ok, buddy.

daggolden

Not everyones opinion is going to be the Eagles are some kind of unbeatable force.Its all about matchups. The Eagles struggled with one of the worst defenss in NFL history in multiple games when they played the Cowboys and that was “WITH” Nick Foles at the helm. The Giants actually played good defense once Beason was inserted. Its just a division thing. The Rams, Arizona and SF give Seattle fits no matter what there record is.

Brandon Boykin, LOL

Yeah man. The offense was good, but it isn’t unstoppable. We should be excited but realistic. Hopefully year 2 doesn’t present the same snags we hit last year.

Eagles1018

Clearly it’s not unstopable or. We’d be the world champs. I think Chip has some wrinkles for the NFC east this year. I predict 5-1 record against them.

Mr.Budz

Which team do you think we lose to?

jabostick

The Seahawks and Broncos are likely favoured or ‘should’ beat all their opponents too, but I dont expect either to go 16-0 or 15-1.

Eagles1018

In division the skins. Week 3

All Things Bad@ss

I sure as hell hope not! Flying in from LA to be at that game. I think we go 4-2 splitting with the Skins (away) and the VaGinats, burying the ‘Girls twice.

Eagles4Life

Lol that’s not my opinion, and I agree it’s about matchups. But their matchup for 3 quarters on offense was Matt Barkley, so there’s that. NFC West fields 4 of the best defenses in the league, imo, so yeah they’ll give us fits. I’m just laughing at the fact Rolle pointed out that one game as if they are comparable.

jpate

I think those 2 games we struggled is the only reason Kiffin is still with the cowboys. Jerry probably think he has chip’s kryponite in the nfl.

Dominik

“Jim Washburn declared: “When God made [Cox], he made him to play in this system right here.”

Sorry, Wash, but when God made Cox he had something else in mind.

Philly0312

You win the internet today. Hilarious

Kevin

Dear Mr. Rolle, I believe the secret defense you are referring to is called playing a one legged Vick or a two legged Barkley. Good luck with that this year.

myeaglescantwin

how about this.

Every team in our division has lost their starting MLB’s from last year.

Beason out
Lee out
Fletcher retired.

Rolle better be practicing his form tackling.
Lots of runs are reaching those secondaries fellas.

BleedGreenJames

Jesus, look at Josey’s arms in that pic

myeaglescantwin

race horse.

Charliefoxtrot

What specifically did NO do in that game that Cox means? The run game emphasis?

myeaglescantwin

NO went away from their traditional game plan. They used Engram more than they ever had with a bunch of straight ahead runs. They decided to play ‘tough’ football, and they kicked our butts.

& Sproles.

myeaglescantwin

The DL is bigger and stronger than last year.
we have youth across the board.

Ironically rolle and the giants have almost no defense themselves. Good luck stopping our offense this year.

JofreyRice

I wonder what kind of offseason training he did? he looks kinda fat in that picture, and says he’s trying to get back to his playing weight. Maybe his body just sort of filled out a bit. I’m sure he’ll lose it in TC.

I do think Washington will be better, but Rolle’s out of his gourd if he thinks the Eagles end up third in the division. Giants more likely in third than the Eagles.

Jerry Pomroy

Some guys (especially the bigger ones) will tend to carry a little more weight in the offseason knowing they’ll lose it in the warmer weather of TC. While they’re working out, they’re still also on their own time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life outside of vitamin jacked smoothies. Plus, Cox is now playing at & carrying more weight as a 34 DE than he had previously as a 43 DT.

Reasonableeaglefan

I agree. I brought up the fact that big guys will lose weight at TC when the Bennie bulking up story was coming out and I had people telling me it’s just water weight loss.

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